Aubergines (also known as eggplant) love warmth and are difficult to grow outdoors in German climate conditions. Keeping it in a pot on the balcony or terrace is more effective. Find out how, when and why you should repot eggplants here.
How do you repot eggplants correctly?
Carefully remove the eggplant plant from the soil without damaging the roots. Half fill asufficiently large potwith fresh,nutrient-rich soil and plant the plant. Fill the pot and water the plant.
Why do eggplants need to be repotted?
For various reasons, it may become necessary to repot an eggplant plant:
- The plant has grown too big for the pot and needs more space.
- As a nightshade plant, eggplants are susceptible to certain diseases. In cases of disease or pest infestation, repotting is usually necessary.
- The earth is exhausted. Eggplants are heavy eaters and require a lot of nutrients.
When is the best time to repot eggplants?
If you have grown eggplant seeds yourself in a seed tray, you should repot the small plant into a larger container after a few weeks. The best time to do this is when enough roots andthe first leaveshave formed after sowing.
Repot the young plant again in mid-May when it has grown larger and Put them outside. Aubergines are perennial and can also overwinter with the right care. Repot them again in the fall if necessary.
How big does the pot need to be for eggplant plants?
Eggplant plants need different amounts of space in the soil depending on the type. Small eggplants need aat least 10 literlarge pot to be kept in pots and are therefore more suitable. Large eggplant species can grow up to 130 centimeters high and require at least 20 liters of soil in the pot. The pot size is crucial for root formation. If the pot is too small, the roots cannot spread and the entire plant becomes dwarfed. This principle is used, for example, for keeping bonsai trees.
What else do you have to consider when repotting eggplants?
When repotting eggplants, be particularly careful not to crush any roots. Otherwise, parts of the plant may die because they are no longer cared for. Additionally, when repotting, you can mix mature compost into thepotting soilto increase the nutrient content. In addition, the pot of the heat-loving eggplants shouldalways warm. Only put eggplants in the pot outdoors after the Ice Saints.
Tip
Make sure the water drains well
Aubergines originally come from subtropical regions in India. They therefore love it warm and need a lot of water. However, they absolutely cannot tolerate waterlogging. Ideally, use a pot with a saucer where excess water can drain away easily. If the roots of the eggplant plant are left in water for a long time, root rot can occur.
